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Another COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Once again, here's another COVID Vaccine Post!

It’s the hot topic in the medical field these days. There is a lot of misinformation causing all sorts of angst about the vaccine. Hopefully I can help to answer some questions.

I want to pause for a second and talk about reliable sources of information, because that's super important when talking about medical stuff. When I'm not sure about something medical I will often add the words "Mayo Clinic", "Cleveland Clinic", "AAFP" (American Academy of Family Physicians), or "AAP" (American Academy of Pediatrics) to the end of my search. These various organizations have great patient information that is considered trustworthy by the medical community. So, why am I qualified? I am a Family Doctor w/ 4 years of med school + 3 years of residency, and I've been practicing here in Grants Pass for over 22 years. I try hard to give people information that I have investigated and hope to be found trustworthy and helpful.  

In the interests of transparency, what are my own personal biases about the COVID vaccine? I'll be the first to admit that I had some concerns about getting a brand new vaccine. I was sitting on the fence until November. Ultimately, as I watched lectures, did a bunch of reading, and learned from more people (who are smarter than I am!), I made a decision to go ahead with it. I get my vaccine this coming Thursday!

So let's talk about some of the questions I get asked often:

  • 1. What is mRNA and why does it matter?

    - The two major COVID vaccines right now are from Pfizer & Moderna; they are mRNA vaccines.


    - You can think of mRNA as having a similar structure to DNA but it has one very specific purpose: it carries blueprints for our cells to build things. It is very fragile, and doesn't stick around long; it's quickly degraded.


    - The vaccine carries mRNA instructions that our own body uses to build a harmless piece of the COVID virus called the "spike protein". It's important to note that it's NOT re-creating the virus in our body, just this one little part. The body will then recognize this as foreign, and begins to build up antibodies (think defending warriors) so the next time someone coughs in your face, your body will already have an army standing by to attack the virus.


    - Scientists have been working on mRNA vaccines for decades. They are not a brand new idea generally speaking, just now getting lots of public attention.

  • 2. Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?

    - Since the mRNA only gives instructions on how to build the spike protein and nothing else, it's completely impossible to become infected from the vaccine. You are just as likely to get COVID-19 by reading this sentence right now as you are by getting the mRNA vaccine! (Not a chance!)

  • 3. Does it cause infertility? Will it change my DNA?

    - No to both. Since the mRNA in the vaccine is only a blueprint for a protein which quickly is degraded, it's totally impossible for it to somehow change your genetic makeup or stop you from having a baby some day.


    - mRNA doesn't get into the nucleus of the cell, so it cannot alter your genetic code.


    - Sorry that this is in twitter form, but it really dismantles the argument well. It's from Immunologist Andrew Croxford, https://twitter.com/andrew.../status/1334593606196187136

  • 4. Can I get the vaccine if I'm pregnant? Nursing?

    - We know that getting COVID while pregnant is much riskier than getting it when not pregnant. It puts the pregnant woman at higher risk of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, death or preterm labor.


    - ACOG (the association for OBGYNs) has urged pregnant or lactating women who might be considered higher risk with COVID to get the vaccine; while also acknowledging that there needs to be more data. Their point they are making is that getting COVID while pregnant *probably* carries a higher risk than getting the vaccine while pregnant.


    - During the trials there were a number of women who became pregnant (23ish?); more information is still forthcoming, but reports sound good.


    - My answer: Unclear. Studies specifically left out pregnant or lactating women because of ethical concerns. I personally would get vaccinated if I were pregnant, because of the increased risk of COVID complications w/ pregnancy. 

  • 5. Does it work?

    - Current studies are showing to be 95% effective, which is amazing in vaccine terms!

  • 6. I already had COVID, do I need it?

    - It seems like having COVID will give you some short term protection (about 3 months?), but it seems to wear off. Some people don't make antibodies at all to the virus even after having it.

  • 7. Can I vaccinate my kids?

    - 16 years and older will be allowed for the Pfizer vaccine, 18 years and for the Moderna vaccine.


    - My understanding is that the vaccine companies are planning to do some adolescent and pregnant studies later this month (if they haven't already begun).

Thanks for reading!


Let me know below if you have other questions, I'll try to address them as able & add the questions & answers here as well. See the links below for many of the sources to the answers above.



https://www.cdc.gov/.../vacc.../different-vaccines/mrna.html

https://www.acog.org/.../vaccinating-pregnant-and...

https://www.npr.org/.../pregnant-people-havent-been-part...

https://www.cdc.gov/.../info.../clinical-considerations.html

https://www.acog.org/.../ba82df62bd0149f0a1019a6662038fc5...

Life's Simple 7 - Make Positive Lifestyle Changes this Spring

By Dr. Tamara Powell • March 8, 2022
Hello AFM family, This week I thought I would share some information I found about how to live a more healthy life. Spring is just around the corner, often a good time to make some positive changes in our lifestyles! Life's Simple 7 is defined by the American Heart Association as the 7 risk factors that people can improve through lifestyle changes to help achieve ideal cardiovascular health. Manage Blood Pressure High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. When your blood pressure stays within healthy ranges, you reduce the strain on your heart, arteries, and kidneys which keeps you healthier longer. Control Cholesterol High cholesterol contributes to plaque, which can clog arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke. When you control your cholesterol, you are giving your arteries their best chance to remain clear of blockages. Reduce Blood Sugar Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose (or blood sugar) that our bodies use for energy. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Get Active Living an active life is one of the most rewarding gifts you can give yourself and those you love. Simply put, daily physical activity increases your length and quality of life. Eat Better A healthy diet is one of your best weapons for fighting cardiovascular disease. When you eat a heart-healthy diet, you improve your chances for feeling good and staying healthy – for life! Lose Weight When you shed extra fat and unnecessary pounds, you reduce the burden on your heart, lungs, blood vessels and skeleton. You give yourself the gift of active living, you lower your blood pressure and you help yourself feel better, too. Stop Smoking Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have--to live a long, productive healthy life. Enjoy some sunshine this week (and increase your vitamin D naturally!). Dr. Powell
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